Inov-8 TRAILFLY g270 V2 Review - Still The Best All Rounder?!

ERIC ORTON RUNNING ACADEMY:
Join Coach Eric Orton, author of BORN TO RUN 2 and THE COOL IMPOSSIBLE, as he discusses training, performing, and all things running.
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Eric is the former Director of Fitness at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, World renown Ultra Running/Marathon coach, international author/speaker, and has operated his online coaching business for the last 21 years.
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[@iakona23]

I always love the boomerang footbed but the actual midsole in the original G270 seemed pretty non-existent to me. I can run better in my Vivobarefoot Magna Forest ESC boots and those have no midsole at all! Also I had to go a half size up my normal size because the G270 V1 was too narrow for me in my regular size. Sheer torture until I removed the boomerang footbed or until I went up half a size. As for your review, I really like the flexibility of the G270 v2 with those flex grooves. Great stuff. That’s what I like. The zero drop or 12 mm drop or anything in between doesn’t seem to matter much to me. I’m fine with zero drop.

[@toddboucher3302]

One funny and good thing is the original. I just bought a pair for $25 and they actually fit my feet better. I didn’t have any issues that people have and even though I normally like God real room toolbox, the originals fit my 4 foot actually better and so grab the V2 there an exceptional shoe a little tight look for the original ones. It’s still a great shoe. Just ran this run tonight up this mountain pretty rugged 10 miles in my brand new super cheap ones and I didn’t really well so it’s such a great product I’ve ever seen a shoe like it.

[@Shalebot]

Posting looking for thoughts on Inov8 G270v2 vs new Trailfly / Speeds vs Xero Scrambler Low. I tried V1 (tongue discomfort), the new Trailflies have stack and drop. Are cool shoes but very different for me. I have both on hand, coming from Mesa Trail as my preferred shoe. The MTII feels floppy in the foot and is proving a little too minimal lately. Scrambler on the way, maybe most excited about it.

[@chrisar2252]

Thanks for the review. I loved the g260, the g270 was better and this looks better still. I had the same upper wear on my first g270, and I think the tongue need wearing it to soften it up and stop it digging into the front of the ankle. I run road & trail in them (started to road run in them and the g260 after watching your video on the g270), plus hiking & walking. I do think the old uppers are actually pretty robust though, it's just that the sole, and midsole, hardly seams to wear at all.

[@toddboucher3302]

Yea for me the tongue caused me issues and thought it was also short. Bothered me at the end of a 50k. REI returned it. Might try it again

[@craigweinrib]

Hey Coach, Hope you're having a great spring. How did you feel about the Norda 002 in comparison to these, which I know are your go to for a number of years now? Best, Craig

[@BornToRunCoach]

The Norda 002 has one of the best outsole grip I have used. However, the midsole is too soft for my technical trails, as it bottoms out and is not very protection. But very good on smoother, clean trails. Upper is not very breathable. And not sure how relevant the Trailfly is anymore since they changed it significantly. I am loving the new Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx for longer technical terrain however.

[@craigweinrib]

Thanks so much for your reply, Coach. Forgive me if I’m misunderstanding; V2 not relevant? Because so many new shoes have come out since? Thanks for your notes on the Merrells.

[@jared9167]

Unfortunately these shoes weren't wide enough for me, my foot measures 272 mm x 110 mm and I tried on a size 44. The length was great but just too narrow, and if I sized up I would have had too much room up front. I ended up going with the Altra Superior 5's which are noticeably wider, have less arch support (which I like), a flexible sole and have a similar stack height. There really aren't many options if you have a wide foot and want something more minimal but, still want a bit more protection under your foot than what's offered by minimalist brands such as Xero Shoes or Vivobarefoot.

[@BornToRunCoach]

Xero Shoes are great and I will be doing more content on them, lots of new exciting things coming.

[@toddboucher3302]

Love the video and I really love the shoes put probably 450 500 miles on my pair on version one. No I was on Amazon looking around for prices on version two version two is about $160 but every once in a while I’m seeing one they’re saying is version two but the cord to the overlays it’s really version one arm so just to tell, everybody know the overlay patterns, aversion to if that’s what you’re looking for And him so make sure you’re getting the proper shoe because I’m also seeing version one on sale for around $80 just a heads up but I’ll let everybody know I’m personally probably going to pay for the version two because I just want to see what is the differences even though I had no issues at all with version one

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

I agree! One of the best shoes ever. PS: Coach, Can’t wait ‘til you try the Naked T/r - my favorite trail-racing and tempo shoe of all time.

[@andydt82]

Is there any more give in the new upper material? I just bought the v1 in inov8’s stock clearance sale as they were a bargain price. Happy so far apart from the toe box being slightly too narrow. I actually like the midfoot fit of the v1 as that is where I struggle with most shoes and generally have to adjust the lacing pattern. Let’s hope that’s not been changed too much!

[@robertburpee9473]

Great information here Eric, thank you. I'm still running in a pair of Terraultra G260's & though they have far less cushion & flex than the newer versions I love them. There durability is second to non & they seem like they will just go and go. I know a lot of people did not like them because they found them very firm under foot but they seem to marry the surfaces I run on & my foot strike. All that being said I can't wait to pick up a pair of Trailfly G270's. Thank you for taking the time to research & put this review together.

[@motormoby]

Had a couple of pairs of V1, love them, stoked to hear you think the V2s are keeping the flame burning!!

[@zuvuya9]

Awesome thanks for the update. I’m glad they heard us about the upper shredding apart so quick, they are on the pricey side so when that happened I bowed out of buying another pair. But seeing your review and the exact issue I had with them improved now it’s very tempting. I still wear the shredded upper and love the light hoppy vibe. Great review thanks again good sir. 🙌🏽

[@foenzie]

does anyone have experience with how fast they dry out? I am looking for a good all round trail shoe that can handle very wet conditions.

[@stenhome7187]

Thank you for the review!! I love the first g270 and i recommend you to try the new nnormal kjerag! Very similar for many aspect, for example contact ground but more responsive and light. I hope they are so durature too! I'm so courios to try the new g270!! Ciao from Italy👍

[@Pavsaund]

I'm very interested in this, as I've been looking a bit at the Normal Kjerag, but I have dismissed them because of their 6mm drop.

[@bilaltahir9978]

How is the grip/traction on muddy trails/wet rock? If it is not great for those terrains, can you recommend an alternative?

[@BornToRunCoach]

They are great on wet rock. In mud as good as any other all rounder shoe. No shoe is great in mud unless you go with a very specific soft ground shoe with deep lugs like Inov8 XTALON.

[@motormoby]

Can I ask a question about shoe wear and form? I always wear the LEFT shoe more, in particular the outer heel part. What causes that? Which of the Born To Run 2 drills will help? Thank you.

[@BornToRunCoach]

Focus on cadence in general but running logs drill is excellent for this to help you "step" deliberately with that leg. We did running logs at camp. Rock Lobster and all of the skills will help to create better leg Stiffness to help you get off that foot quicker.

[@motormoby]

@@BornToRunCoach Thank you!

[@BornToRunCoach]

@@motormoby see this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5infpdpbpJreqs

[@danandr79]

Would you recommend this shoe as a street shoe? What's your favorite road shoe that's zero dropz but not completely minimalistic?

[@BornToRunCoach]

I would definitely try our top suggestion in Born To Run 2, the Altra Escalante. I use the Escalante Racer which is a tad lighter and 2mm lower.

[@danandr79]

@@BornToRunCoach I followed your advice and use Altra Escalante (not Racer) for street and inov-8 for trail, however I like the fit and responsiveness of the inov better. The Escalante Racer, on the other hand, feels too dry

[@danandr79]

@@BornToRunCoach scusa uso escalante, ma mi trovo molto meglio con la calzata più affusolata e la reattività delle inov g270. Esiste una versione stradale delle invo g270? secondo te che problemi avrei ad usare le inov g270 come scarpa stradale?

[@JohnOConnell-ep8lj]

No longer on the Inov-8 website.

[@oldschoolwaverider]

they are now

[@JohnZornick]

How many miles do you put on your shoes before retiring them?

[@BornToRunCoach]

I retire my shoes when I lose the lugs and grip for the trails and mountains. Don't worry about miles as usually the older the shoe the better.

[@JohnZornick]

@@BornToRunCoach Sounds like my old trail shoes will become my new road shoes. Thanks!

[@jordanehahn]

Should I buy them in a size that fits like the xero shoes prior/mesa trail (not quite a full thumbs width so they fit more like an extention of my foot), since these are still sorta a minimal (ish) shoe? or size it like a more typical ankle breaker running shoe, with ample room between my toes and the end of the shoe?

[@BornToRunCoach]

If it helps, I take the same size in Xero and these Inov8.

[@jordanehahn]

@BornToRunCoach perfect! I'll be picking up a pair. Thanks for the response and awesome content. I'm becoming a better runner because of you :)

[@BornToRunCoach]

@@jordanehahn thanks for saying that, made my day. And I think the Inov8/Xero combo is a great way to go.

[@oldschoolwaverider]

how wide are these?

[@BornToRunCoach]

super wide, one of the widest shoes I have ever used - in a good way.

[@motormoby]

Can you explain a bit more about "energy return"?

[@BornToRunCoach]

Jump up and down flat footed, and then jump up and down (pogo) naturally on your forefoot first, this is natural energy return. So Inov8s foam provides good energy return in a low to the ground package, without the crazy stack height of super shoes.

[@motormoby]

@@BornToRunCoach got it! 👍

[@jseales86]

I've been running in lone peaks for years. I've been struggling with them in the mountains. Looking at trying some new shoes. Looking for a good shoe for racing 50-250 miles. Any suggestions here in the comments?

[@BornToRunCoach]

This would be my shoe for that distance. You might also look at Salomon Ultra Glide, but it is narrower and 6mm drop, but rides nice.

[@jseales86]

@@BornToRunCoach I'll work up the nerve to get a pair of the inov8s once some of the snow clears. Thanks for suggestion. I'll also be trying out some of the form corrections of some older vids soon. Great content. Still need to read the books.

[@BornToRunCoach]

@@jseales86 the Inov8 have way more energy return and spring than the Lone Peak on a slight lower platform. So if you like the general feel of LP, the Inov8 are one of the best shoes ever.

[@jseales86]

@@BornToRunCoach I'll give them a go. Running jemez 50 mile in may and run rabbit run 100m later in the year. If I make the switch and do well, I'll add it in the comments here. Now to figure out mountain running!

[@BornToRunCoach]

@@jseales86 great race lineup, Hine those downhill legs. Thanks for chiming in and bring on the training.

[@Nelsonjosh24]

I have an old pair of the boomerang footbeds and cut the heels off and slide them into my newer 270’s for ultra distance. I love these shoes and inov-8 consistently turns out the highest quality of gear IMO.